Australia will probably have to wait at least 2023 before it is able to produce mRNA vaccines such as Moderna and Pfizer.

At present the AstraZeneca vaccine is largely not recommended for residents aged under 60 unless they are in Covid outbreak regions and speak to their GPs, and the Pfizer jab is advised for most Australians. The AstraZeneca vaccination is not recommended for residents under 60, unless they live in Covid-effected areas and consult their GPs. For most Australians, the Pfizer jab should be administered.

There are concerns that current Australian investments in infrastructure and research may not be sufficient to attract the pharmaceutical industry to Australia to develop the preferred vaccine.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccines use mRNA technology, which is more advanced than AstraZeneca’s Coronavirus DNA.

The mRNA vaccines provide slightly greater protection against severe and moderate Covid. They are also not associated with blotclots like AstraZeneca.

However, Australia’s mRNA jabs (Pfizer) have been imported from Europe.

There was initially some shortage, but this was corrected by a July 8 deal that brought forward delivery of millions of more Pfizer jabs to Australia.

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Australia will now receive at least 4.5 million doses of Pfizer in August.

The total number of Australian shipments to Australia in 2021 will still be 40 million, as per the agreement made in April 2017. Pfizer simply sends the shipments earlier.

Federal government will be receiving several commercial bids on Friday for the start of mRNA production here. However, it is expected that Moderna will heavily assist it.